CURRY magnates who have spiced up the lives of millions with their "Made in Leigh" oriental offerings are among the richest people in Britain.

Experts say Meena and Kirit Pathak's spice company Patak's is now worth £55 million -- up an estimated £25 million on last year's figures.

According to the annual Sunday Times list of the 1,000 richest people in Britain, the couple's estimated wealth is on a financial par with Rolling Stones' guitarist Ronnie Wood and a reputed £20 million better off than film star Michael Caine.

The Rich List ranks them as the joint 24th richest Asians in the country.

The news comes after the couple, who head the family firm which produces curry sauces, chutneys, pastes and poppadoms, invested £12 million in a new state-of-the-art factory at Parsonage Retail Park alongside Atherleigh Way.

Patak's opened up in England in 1956, when the father of current chairman and chief executive Kirit Pathak, began selling samosas from his North London home.

Now Patak products are recognised by millions as a leading brand on major supermarket shelves.